The Surgeon, Ferdinand Sauerbruch 1932

Max Liebermann painted "The Surgeon, Ferdinand Sauerbruch" using oil on canvas, but when? That’s anyone’s guess! Look at the way Liebermann's put down the paint, it’s all about process, a direct, hands-on approach. I mean, check out those broad strokes that make up the surgeon's white coat. The brushwork is so present; you can almost feel the energy of the artist as he worked. The colors are muted, almost monochromatic, but the way he layers them, especially in the face, gives the portrait a real sense of depth. And those hands, clasped so deliberately, they're not just resting there. They're composed, thoughtful. There’s a tension in the way he’s holding himself, a kind of contained intensity. Liebermann reminds me of Manet, in a way – a similar interest in depicting modern life and a comparable approach to the materiality of paint. Ultimately, this painting is an exercise in seeing and feeling, more than just a record of how things look.